Negrenses Leopoldo Aragon, Tonie Mark Arenal and Michael Quinlat, along with the other members of the Philippine Team that will see action in the 2010 Homeless World Cup this September in Brazil will visit Bacolod City on July 15.

Aragon is from Brgy. Banago in Bacolod while Arenal and Quinlat are from Talisay City. They were tapped to join the team by the national Homeless World Cup committee headed by Leopoldo Arnaiz.

Each member of the team was chosen by the committee based not only on their football skills but also their personal backgrounds, data from the team stated.

Aragon, 19, is a high school drop-out who used to engage in vices. His transformation into a more responsible teenager started after he joined Homeless World Cup team.

Twenty-three year-old Quinlat is the youngest of four siblings who never had a permanent home after his parents separated. He tried to find a job but failed to land on a stable one until the Homeless World Cup team “discovered” him.

While he sees the Homeless team as his chance of getting a better life, Quinlat is determined to give his best to make the country proud.

Arenal, 23, considers the Homeless World Cup as his stepping stone into going back to school. A championship for the RP Team in the Brazil competition this September will give him the opportunity to realize his dream and help his family.

Aside from helping the players reach their potential and develop their football skills, Arnaiz said the Homeless World Cup paves the way for the members of the competing squad to improve their lives and become better citizens of the community.*NAB

29 June 2010

MEDVIL Football Club coach Ramonito "Lalas" Carreon is taking one game at a time as his team remains in contention for a title-retention bid in the Acer Cup Under-23 Football Tournament.

"We are still a long way off. We still have eight remaining games. We have won our past two games so far. We hope to keep our winning streak," said Carreon, who steered Davao Region to a gold medal finish in the 2010 Palarong Pambansa in Tarlac.

Medvil opened its campaign with a 3-1 victory over Columbia on opening day then crushed Ebocci, 11-0, just over the weekend at the Tionko football grounds.

Carreon lauded his players' determination in their past two outings.

"Everybody else was doing his job and team work was very evident. That's what made us win our first two matches," Carreon said in the vernacular.

Medvil will next meet struggling Ateneo de Davao University on Sunday in the meet presented by Acer Computer Philippines in coordination with the Davao Football Association (DFA) and Columbia Computer Center.

The real test for Philippines’ Under-13 girls football team begins today as the squad faces Guam, North Korea and China for their first three assignments in the AFC Under-13 Girls Football Festival in Vietnam.

With the team is Bacoleña Irish Navaja, who was tapped by the Philippine Football Federation to join the national team.

Divided into two teams, RP Team 1 will play against Guam 1 in the 8:30 match, followed by the game between RP Team 2 and North Korea at 10:30 a.m.

All games will be played at the Thanh Long Stadium, with the RP Team 1 will clashing against China 1 in today’s last game set at 4:10 p.m.

Tomorrow, another grueling day awaits the Filipinas as RP Team 2 will play against Chinese Taipei in the first game at 8:40 a.m., while RP Team 1 will test the mettle of Myanmar in the second game at 10 a.m.

In the afternoon games, RP Team 2 is pitted against Australia 2 while the RP Team 1 will try to get past South Korea in the last game at 5:30 p.m.

The two teams from the Philippines were composed of young footballers who were scouted by the PFF during age-group tournaments held in Manila, Davao, and Negros.

The team is mentored by Josephine Loren with Regine Delos Reyes as assistant coach. Robert Manlulo acts as team consultant while Rafael Lizares Jr. of the Bacolod City-based Executive Village Football Club is the team manager.*NAB

28 June 2010

Philippines Men`s NT will be in a 4-nations tournament in Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) from 9. October . Teams confirmed are Chinese Taipei (hosts) , Hong Kong , Philippines and a fourth team to be confirmed.

MANILA (28 June 2010) – ABOUT 15 football hopefuls showed up to take part in a free football clinic spearheaded by coach Oliver Colina earlier this week at the San Roque football field in Mandaue City.

Colina said he hopes more kids would show up in his second football clinic tentatively scheduled for the first week of July.

The clinic would still be open to 7 to 13 years old, both boys and girls.

Colina was assisted by colleague coaches from the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Eleazar Toledo and Giurdy Fuentes as well as Martin Ferrer.

Aside from being taught the basics of ball drills and ball handling techniques, the kids were also taught the principles of defending and attacking.

26 June 2010

Kuala Lumpur: AFC has recommended a few amendments in the Cebu Football Association (CFA) statues and has asked them to make the changes to take Vision Philippines-Project Cebu a step forward.

AFC has asked the CFA to delete Article 6 which deals with disqualification of membership and instead include the same in the CFA’s Disciplinary Code.

It has also suggested to remove Article 6.2 which gives powers to the president to impose penalties saying the powers to sanctions, fines and/or cautions should rest with the FA’s judicial bodies (Disciplinary and Appeals committees).

“An individual person cannot be given such powers, lest his decisions may be challenged by other parties,” AFC said in a letter.

AFC has asked CFA to come up with a practical solution with regards to period of the Congress. The current CFA statues state the same period of two months for sending proposals for the Congress and notice of the Congress.

“The time period for the notification of the Congress and the proposal of Congress is same – two months. By the time the members receive the notice of the Congress from CFA, the deadline to submit the proposal would have already passed.”

AFC has also asked the CFA to form an Appeals Committee to give access of appeal for the people who are sanctioned by the disciplinary committee.

THREE of the eight members of the Philippine team who will be playing in the forthcoming 2010 Homeless World Cup slated on September 19 to 26 at the Copacabana Beach in Brazil came from Negros Occidental.

Leopoldo C. Arnaiz, committee chairman of Team Philippines Homeless World Cup, on Wednesday disclosed that these players are Leopoldo Aragon from Barangay Banago, Bacolod City; and Tonie Mark Arenal and Michael Quinlat of Talisay City.Leo, is the younger brother of PBA legend Francis Arnaiz and one of the directors of Philippine Football Federation was in Bacolod on Wednesday.

WITH 15 days left before The Final, I queried some of Cebu’s enthusiasts on the World Cup…Bobby Aboitiz: “My favorites include Brazil, Spain, Portugal on the classic side and Germany, England on the structured style side. We may be surprised by South Korea and Japan. Still an open list to spot a winner.”

Pius Bett: “South Africa has been amazing. During the opening, many commented it was the most celebrated ever. I come from Kenya. Africans are very passionate about football. My picks to advance: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Netherlands and hopefully, Ghana.”

Totot Colina: “I stayed up the whole night watching Spain beat Chile. My team is Spain. I like their attacking style. Their goal is always to score, move forward. Japan and South Korea? Their qualifying is huge for Asia. This will boost football here. Japan was not expected to join the R of 16, with a bracket that included Cameroon. Finals? Spain v. Argentina.”

Ricky Dakay: “Japan and South Korea prove that football has gained immense popularity in this part of the world and the efforts to promote the sport are paying off. This also proves that given the average East Asian physique, football is a sport where we have the best chances to excel at. We Filipinos should take heed of this.”

09 June 2010

THE RP-14 may have ended their campaign in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-14 Festival of Football South East Asia Region with two losses but still earned some respect after being tagged as the most improved team that the Philippines has ever sent to the tournament.

This is the third time that the Philippines sent a team to the festival and the AFC recognized the significant improvement of this team, according to assistant coach Allan Medalla in an email.

Medalla also stated that the AFC took notice of the team's much-improved techniques and the booters’ individual tactics in their matches.

He, however, admitted that the Philippines still has a long way to go to keep abreast with the football Asian powerhouses like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. The RP elite team bowed to Australia, 0-2, and to Vietnam, 0-2.

Both matches followed the same pattern with the RP team conceding goals early in the match. They tried to get back into the game in the second half but their attempts were foiled.

Added commendation for the team is the picking of RP U-14's Jose Rafael Lipardo into the All-Star selection.

Making the team equally proud was the team's head coach Oliver Colina, who was chosen to coach the U-14 All-Star selection in its match against the Under-17 Sabah team.

The latter, however, won against the U-14 All-Star selection, 2-1. The team and its coaching staff, which arrived yesterday morning, thanked the Filipino community in Kota Kinabalu for supporting them by watching their games.

Medalla said they also want to thank the Cebu City government for making the trip possible. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON

MANILA, Philippines -- Two groups are looking to cash in on the popularity of the World Cup with events, which they hope would boost the stature of football that has been in the doldrums in the Philippines.

Organized by the Sunken Garden United Football Club, the “World Cup Filipinas” kicked off over the weekend at the CCP’s Bulwagan Ipil Ipil grounds in Pasay City.

The tournament features clubs such as the Sovereign Integridad and the University of the Philippines Sikad club.

“It’s a celebration of unity amidst diversity,” organizer TJ Besa said at the PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue in Manila.

Philip Hagedorn of the United Football League also announced the league’s move to stage an expanded Primera Liga together with the Philippine Football Federation in October.

Hagedorn admitted having difficulty promoting the tournament, but said the month-long World Cup in South Africa kicking off Friday presents an opportunity for them to popularize the sport.

Hagedorn said they have been eyeing venues that would make their tournament more accessible to spectators.

The UFL season, which ended recently with Army coming out on top, was mostly held at the Nomads field in Parañaque.

PFF representative Ernie Nierras said the UFL would be part of the PFF’s Primera Liga, which would also feature regional champions from Luzon, Mindanao and the Visayas.

A YOUNG booter from Davao City emerged one of the four winners in the Manchester United Soccer Schools-Southeast Asia (MUSS-SEA) Skills Challenge held at the British School of Manila from May 23 to 27.

Thirteen-year-old Jonathan Ryan Siang Lim of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) came out on top to earn the right to represent the Philippines in the MUSS skills finals slated this month in Singapore.

The MUSS-SEA Philippines course was joined by 98 boy and girl footballers from all over the country and Southeast Asia, who are now part of the Manchester United family.

The winner in the Singapore challenge will earn a rare all-expense paid trip to Old Trafford, Manchester, England, home of the European champion Manchester United Football Club.

Aside from the Singapore stint, Lim is also set to compete in a series of tournaments this year in Europe like the Barcelona Cup and Costa Blanca Cup in Spain and the Gothia World Youth Cup in Sweden in July.

Lim was invited by the Makati Football Club to compete in the tournaments because of his soccer skills.

05 June 2010

Considered as one of the pillars of the local sportswriting industry, Henry Villalva of SunStar Bacolod passed away at 5:30 p.m. yesterday due to myocardial infection and multiple organ failure.

Villalva was born December 9, 1948 and was known for his cool and modulated voice, an asset that landed him a job as disc jockey at DYWN of West Negros College and DYRG back in 1980s, then at Magic 103 in the 90s.

While he was known as Long, Tall, Henry to his radio listeners, Villalva is the football “guru” among sportswriters, as his knowledge and game analysis would have easily qualified him as a soccer coach, Negros Daily Bulletin sports writer Cyrus Garde said.

Whenever we had multiple-event coverage such as the provincial, regional, and even the national Palaro, we could rely on him to give us the football updates, Garde added.

His passion for sports was undeniable and it reflected in his work. He almost always had an opinion on issues especially those close to his heart – basketball, football and boxing, Philippine Daily Inquirer sportswriter, and former DAILY STAR sports editor Cedelf Tupas said.

He also remembered Villalva’s booming voice, which Tupas said, added color to the events they covered.

“He is a big loss to the sports community and I am grateful to have worked with him,” Tupas said.

More than a colleague, Villalva’s closest friend among the media circle is Elsie Jolingan, the first person in the media contacted by Villalva’s family to inform her about his passing away.

He was more of a brother to me than a friend, Jolingan said, as she remembered every PBA and MBA games he and Villalva would cover together.

“But his heart has always been in football. He simply loved the game,” Jolingan said.

Villalva’s remains now lie in state at the Rolling Hills Memorial Chapels. Schedule of interment will be announced later.*NAB

SHOWING better teamwork and superior skills, the Erich Rafael Construction Football Club (Erco-FC-Cebu) dominated Team trounced X-Mail Malay, 3-0, in their elimination game at the 2nd Phil-Malaysia Veterans Football Championship last Sunday at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.

Jinggoy Roa drew first blood with an in-step kick to the net from an indirect kick ball scramble in the sixth minute.

And before Malay could recover, Erco scored two more goals in the next eight minutes.

Jun de la Cruz headed in the second in the 10th and Richard Montayre padded the lead with another header in the 14th.

After the first half, the Malaysia team told the officials they wouldn’t continue in the second as their players, unused to the heat, were exhausted.

The win improved Erco FC’s record to 2-2 to place fifth among the nine teams.

First —and the worst—was the attack of a parent, a cop mind you, against a referee last February.

Then, a player in the 38-above division who got red-carded for insolence kicked the referee just for the fun of it last April.Then, another referee, a source told me, got choked during the SRP football festival last May.

Jeez Luis, will a fourth official get KOed this month?

I hope not, but with the way things are going, I won’t bet my paycheck against it.

I talked with the referee who got punched and he bemoaned the lack of action from the CFA. It was also the recurring theme in the two other incidents.

The CFA really couldn’t do anything against the cop-parent, (except to perhaps provide financial support for the referee’s medical bills?). But in the last two cases, the CFA has the power to deal with it effectively and make sure players will think twice before pulling such a stunt.

The CFA can suspend erring players, as what was done before.

Back then, cases of violence were dealt with immediately. I remember writing about year-long (or longer) bans just days after the incidents.

But whether the CFA is doing that now, is a question that is yet to be answered.

Heck, even the referees don’t have a clue. They said all the CFA need to do is implement the provisions of the PFF Catalogue of Punishments.

The PFF catalogue says “all cases of violence must be punished severely” and “the tournament committee shall see to it that the punishments are carried out.”

What are the punishments?

For a player who hits the referee, assistant referee, fourth official or any tournament official (with or without cause), its indefinite suspension.

The CFA should draw the line when it comes to violence, especially against officials. Failing to do so only boosts the belief, one shared to me too many times, that CFA officials are only concerned about their own welfare.

Besides, the CFA only has to look at Joavan Fernandez to know what happens when naughty folks get away with it.

The match was officially abandoned in favor of Air Force with a score of 1-0. The UFL Executive Committee will review the actions of club officials and players particularly Army Coach Mr. Ricky Cain and suspended player Mr. Ronel Gener of Army FC. Additional sanctions are sure to follow.

03 June 2010

AUSTRIA – David Alaba has been given the nickname “Wunderknaben” or “wonderboy” in Austrian Football.

Alaba has been in the center of discussions in almost all sports newspapers in the country for being the youngest football player in the national team.

The midfielder player of Bayern Amateur in Germany was successful last Saturday for Austria’s Under-21 team against Azerbaijan.

“Bata pa si David ay talagang nararamdaman na namin ang kanyang hilig at galing sa football. We hope that he will really do his best sa mga laro ng national team,” said his cousin, Maria Bauer.

Alaba was born in Vienna in 1992 to a Nigerian father and a Filipino mother. He moved to Munich in Germany in the summer of 2008 as a 15-year-old player of Bayern Amateur Team.

“For me, David is not a Wonderboy but he is simply a young boy with strong sense of appeal. He is a young boy, who can really kick the ball with precision,” Didi Constantini, chief of the Austrian National Football Team.

Constantini knows Alaba very well. He was coaching the FC-Austria early 2008 when he got the 15-year-old Alaba in the team.

Filipinos in Austria are very proud to have a Filipino in the Austrian sports limelight.

Majority of them are very optimistic that Alaba’s talent in football will help the Austrian National .

02 June 2010

DAVAO del Norte and Davao FA-Columbia booters booked finals berths having grabbed the top two spots in the 2010 Mindanao Filipino Premier League Qualifying at the E-Park in Apokon, Tagum City Tuesday afternoon.

Davao City thrashed Maguindanao-Cotabato City FA/Unifruitti, 12-0, to finish with three wins and one draw alongside Davao del Norte FA. But the latter topped the qualifying with higher goal difference.

"Davao del Norte led with three goals. Our supposed target opposite Cotabato was 20 goals but we fell short and settled for 12 goals instead. But what's important is we are going to the finals in Cagayan de Oro in November," Davao City coach Ramonito "Lalas" Carreon said Wednesday.

Compostela Valley and Magcofica-Unifruitti placed third and fourth, respectively.

It can be recalled that Davao City and Davao del Norte, which took an 8-2 win over North Cotabato in the last game, were held to a scoreless draw earlier in the qualifying round.

"We had lots of chances to win against Davao del Norte but most of our players were not up to it as they were not really that fit," Carreon said. "I'm glad to have chosen the right players though. We still managed to qualify in the finals despite the players' lack of fitness."

Carreon expects a tougher field in the finals with Cagayan de Oro and Dipolog also entered in the cast of the league organized by the Philippine Football Federation.

"It will be the same round robin format event in Cagayan de Oro. I've asked the players to give time for training, especially, the veterans so they can be fit to play," Carreon said. "I see no problem with their skills and techniques. If they are just present in training, I'm very optimistic we can even become champion."

PFF general secretary Cyril Dofitas and Danofa president Rene Cosmod awarded the trophies to the winners.

In a recent “Mornings@ANC” interview, Besa said that the WCP was something he and his friends wanted to do since last year.

He said a friend from the Department of Foreign Affairs noted that the WCP would be great since there is a big expatriate community in the Philippines.

“I can safely say that this is the first time ever that there is an 11-a-side World Cup Pilipinas… It’s also the first time we're playing at the CCP,” said Besa.

SGU-FC Vice-President Vanessa Baltao noted that her team is composed of males and a few females. She mentioned that the members come from diverse walks of life, various countries and different religions.

Entrance is free to the WCP, which also holds free football clinics for children, beginners and enthusiasts.

Noel Flores and Glenn Bulaquina accounted for goals in the 67th and 70th, respectively.

Comval, meanwhile, beat North Cotabato, 5-3, through the heroics of Jervie Palaan who blasted four goals in the 57th, 68th, 73rd and 83rd as his teammate Fabre Karl Jones sealed the first goal in the 34th.